Transmission Removal/Installation: Removal

Disconnect the negative battery cable. (See NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE DISCONNECTION/CONNECTION .)
When disassembling/inspecting the transmission, drain the transmission oil. (See TRANSMISSION OIL REPLACEMENT .)
Remove the parts on the cabin side.
1. Remove the shift lever knob.
  
  Fig 1: Removing Shift Lever Knob
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
2. Remove the shift panel component. (See SHIFT PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
3. Remove the upper panel. (See UPPER PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
4. Remove the parking brake lever boot panel. (See PARKING BRAKE LEVER BOOT PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
5. Remove the rear console. (See REAR CONSOLE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
6. Remove the nut, then remove the insulator and change insulator components (outer/inner).
  
  Fig 2: Removing Insulator And Change Insulator Components (Outer/Inner)
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
7. Remove the bolt, then remove the shift lever component.
Fig 3: Removing Shift Lever Component
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Place a clean rag behind the engine so that the engine does not contact the rear housing when it is tilted.

Fig 4: Identifying Rear Housing And Rag
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the vehicle's underside parts.
1. Remove the front crossmember under cover. (See FRONT CROSSMEMBER UNDER COVER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
2. Remove the member bracket. (With member bracket)
  
  Fig 5: Removing Member Bracket
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
3. Remove the tunnel member.
  
  Fig 6: Removing Tunnel Member
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
4. Remove the starter. (See STARTER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [SKYACTIV-G 2.0] .)
5. Remove the catalytic converter (TWC). (See EXHAUST SYSTEM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [SKYACTIV-G 2.0] .)
6. Remove the exhaust manifold. (See EXHAUST SYSTEM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [SKYACTIV-G 2.0] .)
7. Temporarily install the engine mount. (See EXHAUST SYSTEM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [SKYACTIV-G 2.0] .)
8. Remove the clutch release cylinder with the clutch pipe connected and set the clutch release cylinder aside. (See CLUTCH RELEASE CYLINDER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
  
  Fig 7: Identifying Clutch Release Cylinder
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
9. Remove the propeller shaft. (See PROPELLER SHAFT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
10. Install the SST (49 S120 440) to the main shaft.
  
  Fig 8: Installing SST (49 S120 440) To Main Shaft
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
11. Remove the power plant frame. (See POWER PLANT FRAME REMOVAL .)
WARNING:
- Verify that the transmission is securely supported by a transmission jack. If the transmission falls off, it can cause serious injury or death, and damage to the vehicle.
Tilt the transmission while being careful not to allow parts on the back of the engine to contact the vehicle body.
Protect the areas shown in the figure using packing tape or equivalent.

Fig 9: Identifying Transmission Protect Areas
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Disconnect the back-up light switch connector from manual transaxle. (See BACK-UP LIGHT SWITCH REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
Disconnect the neutral switch connector from the transmission. (See NEUTRAL SWITCH REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
Remove the wiring harness from the transmission.

Fig 10: Removing Wiring Harness From Transmission
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the transmission mounting bolts.

Fig 11: Locating Transmission Mounting Bolts
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Pull the transmission toward the vehicle rear to disengage it from the engine, and rotate the transmission to the angle (position where starter installation area does not interfere with vehicle body) shown in the figure.

Fig 12: Rotating Transmission
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the transmission.